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A Promise Worth Keeping - Chapter 3 A song for momma.
"Wherever you go, I'll follow... I promise." A promise has been made. Now our unlikely hero has to just figure out a way to make sure he sticks to it. But with an alcoholic mother, and an overdeveloped sense of honour... well let's just say it's not easy.
8-8
I wish I could say I'm angry. I really do. But no, I just felt empty. I had spent my whole life defending my mother – even if it was just to me. Years, a decade and a half spent trying to find what truth there was in everything being my fault. Now I just wish she had miscarried like she used to tell me she wanted to. At least it would have spared me days like this.
The house being trashed. Please. That happened once a week. My room usually gets trashed every other month. Hell, even the barn getting fucked up didn't really hurt once I left. No... what really has me gone is the way she cradled that fucking picture. She loves a ghost more than she'll even love me. Hell, I can't even say she loved me to begin with.
I was a convenient excuse. I needed new clothes, so she needed more money. I wanted to move to Twinleaf, so she needed a place big enough for me to run around. I was constantly complaining, so she needed to go against her principles and slap me around from time to time. I was a problem child, so I drove her to drink.
I loved my Pokémon more than her, so they had to be put down.
Ever spent years trying to figure out why every spirit in existence hates you? Trying to figure out why you deserved to be plagued with a woman like that for a mother? Or worse yet, trying to figure out why it hurts so much to admit to hating her?
Somehow I just wish something would happen to upset me, at least then I can work off this stupid emotion I have no fucking use for. Instead, I'm sitting in the back seat of the station wagon, just staring out the window. To show how badly fucked my psyche is, I'm wishing I was bored. No, I can't even claim boredom is making me think up all this depressing shit. That's all me.
"Haze, you okay?" Ginny asks. I turn to my right, offering her a smile in lieu of words. Then I just turn back to staring at the horizon. I feel her head leaning against my arm, probably clueless how to deal with this side of me. Ginny's always seen me as the strong one. Too bad she'll never realize how wrong she is. The only reason I've ever been strong is because she's needed me to be. She doesn't need me to be strong right now, so fuck it, I'm not pretending to be.
"The Gin Haze is a drink." I begin. "One brandy sniffer glass, three cubes of frozen tonic, fill glass halfway with gin. Top off with cigar smoke for the effect. Leave sit for about a minute."
She's quiet for a while, not sure how to react I guess. "So what's so important about it?"
"Misty drank it at her wedding." Ever heard the expression so silent you could hear a pin drop. Either the engine died, or I'm half deaf right now. Not like I really care. Nope, the only care I have right now is that the life I had always known was now dead. And I killed it.
Do you have any idea how sobering that thought is? Your life, everything you've known and have gotten used to, changing right before your eyes. For the better, for the worse... that's all relative. You can't even tell how it will affect you until it's too late anyway. No. Life is too uncertain to say how something will affect you beforehand. That's where it gets scary. The uncertainty, the lack of answers, the unknown. That is what I am walking right into.
It's almost like riding one of those handcars through a tunnel with no lights. You know the rails will get you there, but fear grips your heart to the point of not being able to breathe.
"Hey..." Ginny's trying to derail my downward spiral. "whatever happens, we'll get through it... together. Okay?"
8-8
Another amount of time passes. It isn't flying, it isn't crawling... it's just passing. I notice that the 'wilderness' is receding, so that means we were getting close to Sandgem. The scent of salt in the air could have told me that too. Though it isn't a seaside town, it does have a beach relatively close by. A sand beach. It's almost enough to tempt me to come here more often... almost.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out that this is another hick town waiting to claim innocent children. Hey, I snarked! I guess having Ginny this close is good for morale. Well, that or her rubbing her tit against my arm for the last Arceus-knows-how-long has healing properties.
One miracle cure I am keeping to myself. Well, between Gumball and me. She can have the right tit, I'm sticking with the left one – it's bound to bring me luck! Although I am starting to notice that Gumball has a thing for cleavage, so I might be able to convince her to let me have both breast...
Probably best to keep that thought to myself though.
"We've been living in Twinleaf for six months, and it takes a catastrophe for us to make it to Sandgem. What the hell happened to us, Gin?" I can't remember one weekend we didn't explore an isle nearby, or went searching in Shoal Cove some something or another; well, before I swore off caves forever. We used to swim from Mossdeep to Lilycove for the hell of it! Swim! It's a shame I got a Snorunt now, after finally giving up on ever making it to the Ice Room the guys were all bragging about back in school.
"A shift in priorities?" Yeah, maybe.
"Nah, I'd quicker say you two are growing up." Dad offers. He pulls over into a parking lot... I think. It's all dirt, so it's kind of hard to tell. "You realize that there's more going on in the world than just sights to see. That's a good thing." There's a one story brick building with 'AL'S DINER' painted above the entrance, which is kind of pointless, since the tables and chairs were mostly outside with a chalk board announcing today's menu...
He stops the car by the diner, telling us to order something for him too. Getting out, and finally stretching my legs, I ask him what he wanted, but he doesn't seem to know the menu (I think he said something about something cold and hot, and not necessarily the same thing). He drives to the gas station across the road to refuel. "Four hours to get to the nearest town by car. Are you sure we're up for that road trip this summer?" Ginny asks. I actually have to wonder about that...
It's official, we've gotten soft.
The diner is nothing spectacular. There are tables and chairs and two remarkably plain looking waitresses. Wow. Ginny refuses to recall Pistachio or Gumball to their Pokéballs –got to admire her naming skills, nothing but flavours of ice cream– so we grab an outside table, out of the way to not bother the other (two) patrons. Seating for sixty, total of four customers and one on his way. Great location, or maybe it's the food.
Well, at least the waitress isn't lazy – she came over and brought the menus the second we sat down. Do we want something to drink? "A coke. And she wants iced tea with a squeeze of lemon." I look at her, just to be sure. She nods, accepting her menu. "Can we get a lemonade and a glass of water as well? Dad's just tanking across the road." I thumb in the direction of the still moving station wagon.
"Sure thing, hand-"
"Rrrrrrrrr!" Pistachio let her know that no one calls me cute, generic names.
"Don't call me that. If my girl doesn't get jealous, her pup will."
"Spoink!" Gumball obviously wanted to add her two cents.
"Sorry, sug-"
"Rrrrrrrrr!" "SPOINK!"
"Haze, it'll save time."
"Of course." She hightails it as quick as she could. Poor thing.
"What have you been teaching Pistachio?" Ginny asks, not even looking up from her menu. I can hear the smile in her voice though.
"Anti-flirting tactics. Comes in handy." She snorts, highly amused apparently. Well let's see what we can order.
Sandwiches? How original. Pasta? Do I look Italian? Ah, here we go a hamburger with a side of fries! I should have ordered a milkshake and a dumb blond for desert.
"You see anything interesting?" I wonder out loud.
"I shore doo!" That must be the local entertainment. I look up. Standing less than five meters away are the ugliest and certainly the dumbest looking pair I'd seen in at least a week. And look it! Wow, bathing in acid must be the latest fad. Both of their faces looked like it was recently melted and re-solidified – but not entirely. Poorly shaven, and likely working in a toxic waste site. Their eyes never left Ginny's form.
"Wel, lookie 'ere. We shore foun' dus a perdy liddle thang." The bigger one had an IQ at least in the mid thirties. Forget townsfolk, these two were probably retarded. Scratch that, I know mentally challenged people... they're much smarter.
"What do you think, Ginny? Going to give the spaghetti a go, or is the ravioli more up your alley." I ask, wondering how close these two would get before Pistachio starts acting up.
"Hmm, not sure. Maybe a pizza?" Great. I am not putting up with your complaining for the next three weeks because you want to order something stupid.
"Gin, the last time you tried a pizza you were complaining for a week about how bad it tasted. Stick with pasta please." I suggest. Still there's hope that this would let these two idiots know that they weren't interesting.
"Maybe their pizza's good?" Maybe it's bad.
"That's what you said last time."
"Y'know, cityslicker, gnorin' yor beddas is bad mannas." The big one tried to say something smart. I just know it. He's trying so hard! He just needs some help.
"Umm, Gin? Translation?"
"Something about bad manners?"
"That makes sense. His manners are obviously sublime. What about the burger for Pistachio? And maybe give Gumball the fries?"
"What you don't want one?" She's fighting back a giggle at the look on my face. Cute.
"Gin, gag me."
"Ew, not in public. Besides he's already calling you on your table manners, best not show off your poor social skills too."
"Bubba, dey's taw'kin fun-E. Sins we-un doo's perdies taw'k?" What the hell?
"Gin?"
"Short one's named Bubba. The rest was static. Sorry." She shrugged, not in the least bit sorry to boot.
"Jeez, so much for my universal translator. Keep that up and I might need to actually try to understand people." Heaven forbid.
"Well, it wouldn't hurt. What's tagliatelle?"
"It's like spaghetti, but wider. You going for the cheese sauce? You know I'm gonna boycott pork now."
"Yeah, and eventually you'll be a vegetarian because you caught every edible Pokémon and won't eat their cousins out of principle." And the problem with that is?
"There is always that possibility. Hey, you think they play the banjo?"
"Why are you asking me? They can hear you."
"I doubt I'll understand their answer. And from your track record, I doubt you will either."
"O ho-oh! So missa cityslicker thing's he'z zaz smard az a noil slick, duz E?" The short one – whom I've mistakenly taken for the smarter of the pair – said.
"Huh?" I turned to Ginny, actually looking up from my menu.
"Something about you thinking you're smart. Is 'mozzarella' a good name for a Pokémon?" Ginny translates. Thanks for getting back on track there.
"I thought you were sticking to ice cream flavours." Confusion. That is more than just a psychic attack, it's a girl's M.O. when you start figuring her out.
"Dunno, might branch out eventually." Right.
"Deserts and cheeses? Why not just go to Baskin Robbins for inspiration?"
"Because I highly doubt there'd be one in Sinnoh!" What are those idiots mumbling now?
"Oi! Cityslicker, I's callin' yu wout!"
"What is this a budget wild west movie? Look there's more than enough farms around here, go have some fun with a Miltank, or something. I've got better things to do." I flip 'em off hoping they'll just leave, but doubting it at the same time.
"Wat'dju sey?" He takes a step closer.
"Rrrrrrrrrr!" Two metres, twenty centimetres. She must be relaxing because I'm here. Gotta untrain that habit.
"So city folk NO zabout poh-KEE-man tuu." They can't even say Pokémon? "Wat-sey weez go rassel?"
"Ginny, is that an invite to a Pokémon battle?" My eyes never leave the menu. It's more fun toying with a fully developed mind, but these two will do for now.
"You're asking me? I'm still stuck on how they said Pokémon."
"Would you complain if I accepted that challenge?"
"Well, keep the collateral damage to a minimum and when your dad get's back you need to hurry. He sounded like he wanted to do something in Jubilife." No restrictions? Alright! "And no using Jade. She deserves some time off." Damn! There goes my brawl tactics.
"Fine. Hey dumb and dumber, where can we go that no one will complain?"
8-8
How convenient, right behind the diner is a Pokémon field. Didn't see that one coming. You'd think that this was a regular thing, or something.
"So how you want to do this? One on one? Two on two? I've even heard about three on three battles lately."
"Rulez iz fu sukkuz!" They both threw out a Pokéball each, a Bidoof and a Buizel. They both look pretty young... dull eyes too. Poorly trained. Damn! Fine let's see what my new Pokémon can do then. I throw the Pokéballs containing Angel, my Snorunt, and Bronze, my Swinub. Both are ice types. Might be interesting. Let me just check what moves my pair has.
Angel has Headbutt, Icy Wind, Bite, Double Team, Leer and Powder Snow. Hmm, not bad. She's timid, so her speed will be higher and her attack lower. Special attack doesn't fall into that factor, so physical attacks will be less effective. She needs to use only special attacks and use her speed to her advantage by evading.
Bronze has Mud Slap, Powder Snow, Mud Sport, Odor Sleuth and Tackle. Somewhat less impressive, but we can work with it. He's relaxed, so his defence is going to be top notch, but his speed will suck. Fine. Set him up to take the harsher blows if possible and she's the counter attack.
Alright, I'm good to go.
"Heya, Bubba, look it. Now-"
"Angel, use icy wind. Bronze use Tackel on Buizel!" Angel blows sub-zero air at both Pokémon –coming out a beautiful electric blue– with Bronze coming in quickly after the attack ends and slams into the Buizel. Before the idiots even realize the brawl has started, their Pokémon already took their hits. Bad luck for them, the Bidoof is frozen solid. "Good job! Now, before they even get any ideas, Bronze blind 'em with Mudslap!"
Bronze focuses for a second then slaps the ground, spraying mud right in the Buizel's eyes.
They start shouting something, but it's nothing I understand anyway. The Buizel comes with a Swift attack. Smart, even with the lower accuracy Swift never misses.
"Angel, duck behind Bronze!" The Swinub took the hit. "Good, now take a big ol' Bite!" Angel lunges at the weaselled vermin and clamps her little mouth on the its shin. Buizel shakes that leg as hard as it can –clearly panicked and in pain– eventually tossing Angel up in the air. With a patch of fur going along with her. Perfect, attacking from two fronts now!
"Alright, we've got 'em on the run. Give me a double Powder Snow!" Bronze starts shaking his nose, while Angel is blowing like an arctic cold front. The blue powders combined and buffeted both Pokémon. Poor Bidoof didn't even get to scratch his nuts yet and is taking blows.
Lucky weaselled bastard, being a water type, won't feel the ice attacks too bad. I did notice that the bite left a nasty cut on its leg though. Might as well take advantage.
And Angel is still flying without wings. "Angel, Headbutt! Bronze, Tackle! Aim for the leg!" From her aerial standpoint, there is no way for her to actually hit the leg, but Bronze could. Even with her lowered attack, the momentum from her flight will add some extra oomph.
A shame that the Bidoof just got out of jail. Well, it didn't pass go, or collect two hundred dollars. It did try to save it's buddy though. Just in the nick of time, which means that Angel lands with her Headbutt right onto its skull instead. Did she learn Skullbash? Will have to check later.
Bronze's attack did still hit home though, maybe not on the mark –gotta work on his accuracy– but a solid hit none the less. He saw the attempted dodge, and veered right onto the new course.
Both challengers are now counting Starmie in La La land.
"Well, so much for all that talk. Pay up and leave." I tell them coldly. They're shaking their heads; something about not having money, if my guess is right. They were planning on pissing me off and beating me to pay for their meal. "Either you give me money, or you give me items." The rules clearly state that the loser gives the winner something. And I sure as hell am not taking a rain check!
Emptying their pockets and dumping the contents on the ground, they hightail it out of here. "Yo, waitresses! Those two rednecks are leaving without paying their bill!" I shout at the diner door. A large man with a mean scowl is chasing after them in a matter of seconds.
Well, that left me with what? I can see some lint, a half eaten cookie, two dollars, a paperclip, a half a roll of mint and a rock. Jeez! Nothing but junk! The rock would at least be good for skipping across a lake or something. Hey, it does kind of look like a red carving of the sun and it's warmish... Maybe Ginny would like it?
At any rate, this was a total bust. At least I know what my Pokémon are capable of.
8-8
Back in the diner, Dad is just sitting down and ordering something from the same waitress. Poor thing is a little farther away than she normally would be. Yeah, I have that effect on people.
"Did you order me anything good?" I ask, sitting down next to Ginny since Dad stole my earlier seat.
"Yeah, mash potatoes, gravy and a steak. I figured you wouldn't mind since you didn't catch any Miltank yet." Sounds good.
"You see, this is why having you around is always good. I didn't even see any of that." I kiss her on the cheek as a thank you.
"Yeah, good for you. I still can't decide what to take." She announces, a slight blush on her face. The waitress seems a bit unnerved by that and is about to ask if she should come back later.
"Sure you can. You want the tagliatelle with the cheese sauce and the drumsticks with barbecue sauce. Just don't ask me what you want for desert." She laughs saying she thought it sounds yummy.
"With or without the fries on the side?" The waitress is clearly not impressed.
"With. And I'm gonna need something with a lot of berries in it, Angel and Bronze deserve a treat after kicking ass out there. And some ice cubes please." I say.
"You the one that caused all that ruckus?" What's her name...? Flo? Well, Flo has an eyebrow raised at her own question.
"Depends on what ruckus you're talking about." Deny, deny... you know the routine.
"The one that warned Frank about the two slackers that didn't want to pay." Oh that. Yeah, I can take the rap for that.
"If Frank is the giant with cook's clothes, then yes."
"Good, then the berries are on the house. I warned the manager about those two weeks ago. Probably the same ones that's been scaring off the customers." Too easy. "Anything else?" Nope, I'm good. She walks back into the dinner to give through the orders.
"Starting trouble again?" Dad asks, smiling ear to ear.
"Nah. I was gonna let it slide, but Ginny gave me the okay." I smile right back. "Oh, that reminds me. The cheapskates didn't have much cash. But they had this nice rock. I figure it's useless, but maybe you might like it, Ginny." I explain, offering the item in question.
Poor thing nearly chokes on her ice tea. "Useless?" She asks between coughs. I'm patting her back, trying to help clear her windpipe so she can breathe.
"Jeez, if I thought it'd kill you I would have chopped those idiots with it." I tell her. She eventually gets the liquid up from the wrong pipe and down the right one, though she sputters a bit into a napkin.
"Haze, don't you know what this is?" Yeah, that's why I keep referring to it as a rock or 'the thing'. Glad to know my snarking is back in full swing, maybe we can throw a BBQ party by week's end to celebrate.
"A rock?"
"Jeez, all that time with Steven and you're still clueless. It's a Sun Stone!" Hey! I may know nothing about rocks, but a Sun Stone helps certain Pokémon evolve. What? Rocks and stones have nothing in common!
"That is far from useless." I say, trying to remember what Pokémon could use it.
"Duh! This is the exact stone I would need to turn a Gloom into a Bellossom!" Well, there you go! Karma is working with me for once!
"Well, I'm glad I kept it for you." I say, thinking nothing more of it. Had it been a Dawn Stone I would want it back, but I have no use for a Sun stone.
So imagine my surprise when she decides to thank me by kissing me. And not just a peck... no the real deal! The French are lucky bastards for having something like that named after them! I swear, once I figure out where France is, I'm moving there!
Note to self. Girls like shiny rocks. Get more shiny rocks.
8-8
Well, back in the car again. This time I was in a much better mood though. I don't know if the watermelon flavoured kiss attack, or the brawl that let me work out my frustration helped... possibly both. Hell, I wasn't even being sarcastic this time! "So what's the plan when we hit Jubilife?"
"We check into our hotel rooms, and we go get some exercise. After that is dinner and whatever comes our way." Dad answers. I doubt he could appreciate the difference in my attitude, but I know Ginny is smiling about it. "We leave for Hearthome City at first light. And with some luck we should be there after dinner time. And Solaceon town the day after." Solaceon? The only thing I know about that place is that they have a daycare centre.
"We going egg hunting or something?" I ask.
"No, I am going hunting for some Unown. I'm planning a surprise for Marion."
"Oh, so you're dragging me back to scope her out. Then you're popping the big Q." I intone. His eyes are about to pop out of his head, he's that shocked.
"How-" Well, I was just fishing in the dark. But since it's on the money I can come up with a nice practical excuse.
"Well, seeing that you keep a cube in your jacket at all times, and you haven't asked me to scope out a girlfriend in just over a year. Add to that your... extreme care with Ginny's fighter type aversion..." I had to choose my words carefully for that last part before a rift could form for no reason. "But the key to all of this..."
"Yes...?" I really have him wondering this time.
"is the two cities you wanted to visit. You intend to challenge Maylene again, just to see if you can bring back that out fighting spirit. To pump yourself up for one last go at really letting yourself go and falling in love." Maybe you should start reeling in your chin. Fishing is usually the most fun when you catch something you weren't sure was there. Just don't let the Skitty out the bag.
"And Ginny's the one who plans on studying psychology?"
"Who do you think introduced me?" Ginny asks, laughing at the gobsmacked look on his face.
"Then why is it that he needs you to understand what others are talking about?" Dad asks her.
"Easy. He only applies what he knows to Pokémon and the few humans he feels close too." Ginny nudges me with her elbow again.
"Wow. I sound like a real party animal." Snark... I wonder if there's a Pokémon named that. Sounds like a canine type. Maybe a good name for a Granbull? Hey there, I'd like to introduce my Granbull, Snark. Well, if I teach it to actually say snark... it might work.
"Well, you are a character."
One order of subject change, coming right up. "Anyway. So that means you will be busy all day when we get to Solaceon. Is it cool if me and Ginny go Pokémon hunting too?"
"I see no problems with that." Dad answers after thinking about it for a minute.
"Looking for something specific?" Ginny asks, knowing me better than signing on to a random 'hey what's over there?' wild Zangoose chase.
"I don't know what's there. Will try getting some research done tonight, and upload it to my Dex. That way I can read on the way to Hearthome." I say. She nods, having expected as much.
"Why not just see what you can find?" Dad asks. How about no?
"Well, that is a good tactic. But the problem is time. Because of that we need to try getting as much information to know what we are looking for. It also means that I can better prepare, because then I'll know if I have enough Pokéballs with me. And I'll be able to pre-plan some strategies to make it go smoother." And next time you ask, I'll tell you the same thing. Better start looking for someone that can record my most common answers on my Dex... for future reference.
"Well, I see the logic, but I can't help but worry. You're not even sixteen and can't live without a plan." You're forty and you still don't have one – you left your rights in the diner, genius.
"Sure I can, when I have the time and leeway to wing it. But we are on a schedule, aren't we?" No, I'm not curious. This is just proving what I already know to be true. Just wait and see.
"No. Not really. I have a basic idea of where we're going and what routes to take to get there... but a schedule is a bit much." Point, match, game.
"Says the one that is already saying that we are leaving at first light." Ginny teases. Dang, stop hogging the limelight.
"Spoink!" Gumball is glaring at me. Stop reading my mind, it's dirty. She snuggles deeper into Ginny cleavage. We'll have to surgically remove her sooner or later.
"Hm, I see your point. Well that was really more about saving money because the hotel isn't cheap. But if you two are willing to either camp out or sleep in the car, we can stay an extra night." Car please, my tent was trashed.
"A full day and two nights in Jubilife?" Ginny, breathe. If you're voice gets any more high pitched, you might break the glass.
"Don't ask if she's excited about that." I warn Dad. Does he have this car insured?
"Spoink spoink!"
"Either of them." I elaborate.
8-8
The view is gorgeous. The trees, the rolling hills. All the Pokémon roaming free, not a care in the world. Simply gorgeous.
After another short stop to stretch our legs, Ginny and I switch places, so she's sitting behind Dad this time – poor guy is running a taxi for us. This time I decide to let Grey and Angel out. Pistachio is taking a nap in the back – a kind of an open trunk that made space trades easier. Grey is resting a bit as well, not sure if he was sleeping or not, but Angel certainly is.
It's weird, now that I think about it. I have one battle with Angel, and she just... grew on me. Back in the diner, after I let her out, she just jumped in my arms and wouldn't stay anywhere else.
Not like the groping, semi-molestation thing that Ginny and Gumball have going on. Thankfully. Though I wouldn't mind if Ginny let me do that to her. No, Angel just wanted to be near me.
After a few failed attempts at eating her first berry alone –her stubby little arms just couldn't seem to grab the berry properly, and she didn't like diving into a bowl like Bronze– I decided to help her a bit. I'd ask her which berry she wanted, and tell her to say 'ah'. I honestly couldn't help but smile at her quiet munching. It was obvious that she had stuck to her natural diet of snow and ice up until that point.
She wasn't too proud for me to help her, like Grey. She wasn't too focused on the berry to care who helped her, like Sapphire. She was too neat and proper about eating to be compared to Bronze, the pig – correction, the swine (thankfully we were already outside, but we still had to mop the floor). She wasn't as ravenous as Jade, who could eat twice her weight in one sitting.
She didn't mind me holding her like a doll –weird as it was– like the others either. She wasn't into jumping around or being overtly active. Just content to sit on my lap and gaze out at the world.
She never seemed to get upset either, even when I teased her a bit by offering a berry and pulling it back at the last second. Her only response was a pout-like curl in her lower lip, and averting her gaze. I can't even honestly say I've heard her make much noise as yet.
Now that I think about it... I'm actually shocked that she didn't freeze up during the battle. Normally the timid ones need special training to be willing to fight properly, and even then it's touch and go.
Normally during a battle there are three things that influence a Pokémon's performance: stats (attack, speed and the like), the bond with the trainer and the Pokémon's nature. These three things are not interchangeable, but influence each other greatly through a Pokémon's life.
For example, because Bronze had a relaxed nature it affects his speed –he wouldn't rush anything, other than getting to his food– and his defence gets better –he won't even take the time to get out of the way of an attack, so he gets used to it over time. But the effect on the bond with his trainer is slightly different – in the long run he won't respect a trainer that takes everything too seriously.
Or like Grey and Jade. They're sassy, so they kinda beg to get a Hyperbeam between the eyes from time to time –their Special Defence is really good because of that– but their speed will suffer for it, since they enjoys that kind of reaction and won't get the hell outta the way. That also means that they're harder to train because they think they knows better, which his being a Psychic type (pseudo legend in Jade's case) doesn't really help. Though well intentioned with their attitude, it doesn't really make it easy to deal with them sometimes. Over time –as they evolve and become more powerful– they will demand a trainer that can match their quick wit and intellect. They simply won't stand for someone who they feel superior to, emotional bonds be damned.
In training a Pokémon, you really have to cater their regimen to them, to their personality, to their ability. You have to be both vigilant and flexible. But more than that, you have to know them: their learned attacks (if you really believe that every Pokémon is stupid enough to only remember four attacks, please shoot yourself), attack preferences, effectiveness, strength, weakness and how to meld it all together into one effective whole.
To hell with making it look pretty, I'll leave that for Ginny to figure out. I want my Pokémon to be at their best at all times. If they look ungraceful doing it, tough.
8-8
"Next five minutes we'll be stopping again." Dad announces. This stupid route seems to wind on into eternity. I wonder which drunken Mankey was used to plan out this route... Maybe an Arbok? Seviper?
At any rate, it's taking forever. We left Twinleaf at seven this morning (don't tell Ginny, we had to change the time on her clock to convince her), and made it to Sandgem within four hours. Then we left Sandgem at noon. It's two and according to Dad's proclamation we want to hit Jubilife tonight... Night starts at six-thirty.
Lovely.
Well anyway, Dad pulls over and turns off the engine. Ginny and I shimmy out of the back seat and out into the open plains. Look this way, glare that way. Trees, grass, dirt and sky. Yup, we're in the middle of nowhere.
I check in my backpack... four Great Balls left. Jeez, I've never felt this unprepared in my life. But then, it's not like I've gone Pokémon hunting in recent memory. Not even going to think about what usually happens to the Pokémon I catch but don't keep on me at all times...
Hmm. Well, since Doc Harrison offered to let me keep my Pokémon at his place... I might want to start up my collecting again. Did I already set the location in my Dex? Yes, the doc did that himself before we left. What would I want from here though? Kricketot? No, Jade would eat it before I could catch it. Starly? Nah, Mina might think that's a nice way to say I secretly love her. Bidoof? Thanks, but I'll pass. Shinx? Don't make me laugh. Growlithe? Nah, I'm not with the police. Sentret? Hey, there are Sentret here?
"Haze, I know that look. What are you thinking about?" What look? I don't have a look. "That look. You're plotting something. What?"
"Well, to be honest I was thinking about what Pokémon I can see that I might want to catch." Well, if she was going to get all in my grill about it, I might as well reward her. Don't ask. There's a long story behind that, and I'm not in the mood to rehash now.
"Really? Why now? You've had just Grey and Jade for years." Another story I don't feel like rehashing.
"Time just feels right." Turn your lie detector off, please. I really don't want to delve deeper into that abyss right now.
"Fine, but I will bug you later for the real answer." Fair enough. What... how the- "Don't burn yourself out. You're just easy to read." Right...
"Hey did you want another pup? There's a Growlithe right there that seems to like either you or Pistachio."
"I dunno. Besides I don't have any Pokéballs." That's a yes, but I can't get it anyway. Well, it looks really young, and on the thin side. A Great Ball should avoid all fighting entirely. I place a Great Ball in her hand and motion for her to 'have at'.
She takes out her Dex –it's pink, why would they make a pink Dex– and link the ball to it so that it would be her catch and not mine. Then she walks right up to the pup, Pistachio following suite. "Hey there, did you want to come with us?" Ginny asks.
"Spoink?" Gumball just had to add. The thing with psychic types, they tend to read those closest to them so they know what you're thinking most of the time.
The Growlithe seems to think about that. Hm, it's a her and she seems the serious type – somehow there is a melancholy air about her. Judging from her size, she's a few months old and her eyes show that she is not used to defending herself. Where's her mother then?
I look around. "Pistachio, sniff her to see if you can identify any scent that should be her mother's." I instruct. "Gumball, I need you to read her mind and show me where she last saw her mother."
Pistachio starts sneezing and rubbing her nose in the grass. Blood. Then Gumball makes a psychic link with me, and shows me the scene I was looking for. Including smells and taste. Psychic types just rock... in every other case.
Her mother was hit by a car and the poor thing saw it all unfold before her. From what I could see, that Growlithe died instantly. The driver didn't even stop to see what they hit. This poor little thing stuck near her mother's corpse for days, until hunger made her wander.
"She's half starved." I dash for the station wagon and grab a handful of berries left over from the diner. Making my way back I holler, "Pistachio, I need you to hunt some Sentrets. One big one, or two smaller ones." She dashes off like a Golbat outta hell.
"Haze?" Ginny's worried. I never order the slaughter of wild Pokémon so casually or order her Pokémon around.
"She's an orphan and she's too young to care for herself. Catch her or no, she's not staying here." Ginny quickly taps the ball against the Growlithe's head. Poor thing was in no state to resist. "Good, now send her out to eat. She hasn't eaten properly in days."
Pistachio comes back with a good sized Shinx in her mouth, clearly already dead. Well good enough. "Good girl." I pet the Poochyena and takw the meat she brought back. "I'll be right back, okay?" Angel's just staring at me, tears in her eyes. "Trust me, Angel, you don't want to see this." I dash off again, leaving a handful of berries at Ginny's feet. "Just let the pup out and let her eat. I'll be back soon with some meat to get her strength up."
It's a good thing I have no emotional attachment to this Pokémon. Well, best to get this done quickly. I take out my pocket knife and start skinning, taking my time to remove the unwanted parts and bones. A shame I don't have any fire Pokémon, I could have cooked this.
Oh well. After keeping the parts I want –two long leg bones for the pups to bite on, the hide, and the meat– I make my way back to the others. The new addition is gorging on the berries, but runs to me once she smells the meat.
I share the Shinx meat fairly between the two canines, and place the bones nearby for their desert. Then I call Sapphire and Bronze to tan the hide.
Long, gross story spared, I scraped to top layer –not the layer with the actual fur– with the sharp edge of my pocket knife, drenched it in water and had Bronze freeze it. It's a technique I read about in a history book that some tribal Eskimos used to make some durable clothes.
I won't be wearing it, but maybe I can make a nice rug out of it? Dunno. Will worry about that later on. Washing my hands carefully, I picked up Angel again. "What are you gonna name her?"
She nodded to herself, coming to some decision. "Caramel." Isn't that her favourite flavour?
"Caramel Swirl Supreme?" She nods, obviously knowing what I'm really asking. "Well, she's going to need to spend a lot of time with Pistachio to learn how to act. And we can't have her in the trunk during the drive, since she's not housebroken yet."
Just then, Dad decides to add in his two cents. "Not really, I have a box we can set up, and put some newspapers down. We'd just have to clean it out properly when we reach Jubilife." Well, it's his ride.
8-8
On the road again. One Pokémon richer – who is snoring under Pistachio. I still can't figure out why Dad has a box and newspapers in some weird hidden compartment in his trunk – and I've decided not to waste brain cells figuring it out either.
The Shinx hide is currently soaking in ice water in a waterproof container. Neither canine seems to mind it being there, so long as they can sit comfortably. Well, carnivores tend to have fewer reservations with this type of thing than herbivores… Angel has been staring at me a little funny ever since.
"What's the matter, Angel?" I decide to ask her after her constant staring, or her pointedly not looking at me at all, finally tells me she was more upset that I anticipated.
She doesn't answer, but her eyes show betrayal. "No, I wouldn't do that to you. But you need to see it from their eyes. Poochyenas and Growlithes eat meat. You can't expect them to survive on snow and berries like you." She still doesn't look convinced.
"Spoink, spoink spoink spoink spoink. Spoink spoink spoink." Where's that universal translator when you need it? Gumball's eyes shine red, just like Grey's eyes had done some time ago. Is it some psychic thing?
Angel goes stiff, her breath coming out in short bursts. A psychic link? I push the snow hat Pokémon a bit, trying to look her in her eyes. "sno-o-o-o-o-o-o..." She's crying. Gumball must have shown her what she showed me. Not much I can do about that now. I just rub her back, hoping to help her calm down. I'll bet no one ever knew that ice type's tears are cold. Damn near freezing in fact. Boy, am I glad that my windbreaker is waterproof.
I can't help but notice that Ginny is smiling at me the entire time.
Angel eventually calms down. When she does, it was back to how it always was – her never being more than six inches from me and no matter how many times Ginny tried to pet her, she would just shy away. Well, to be fair, Gumball didn't want me touching her much either. A lesbian psychic pig, is that what the world's come to? Meh, can't really blame her, I think guys suck too.
Hell, as little as I am into Poké-humping... the thought of two girls eating each other out... Sorry, I'm a guy. It works for me. Even as a serial monogamist, I wouldn't see that as cheating.
Anyway, I need to start figuring some things out. Let's see, okay, I'm starting to collect Pokémon again. What types am I after? Doesn't matter. I never had much of a preference, even as a junior gym trainer under Liza and Tate. I used to only use my psychic types in the gym, but Jade was the first one I'd call out once I left that building.
Yeah, back when I had a Kadabra and a Golduck. Kadabra was especially promising –something of a perfectionist– but Golduck was the only one that went swimming with me.
Everyone thought I was gunning for top trainer position, maybe even gym leader. Nope, I just loved being there when I wasn't bugging Ginny. Then Misty happened.
One drunken fit, a golf club and a failed attempt too few later, I was in the hospital with a broken arm and two dead Pokémon to bury.
"Spoink!" Good point, better let the dead rest. Thinking about that will bring up more than I want to deal with.
Anyway, a ranch with too much land. I need to start figuring out how I want to divide things. What Pokémon I want, and how many.
8-8
"Alright, one last pit stop then we drive until we reach the city." Dad said, turning the engine off at the side of the road. "Fifteen minutes. Make it count." Ginny was off like she was on fire. Probably has to pee. I notice that Pistachio, Caramel and Gumball are with her, so I'm not going to worry about her. One of them will let me know if I'm needed.
Now that I think about it, taking a piss isn't such a bad idea. "Angel, I'm going right over here, okay?" I explain, placing her on the ground gently. She looks up at me, clearly not happy about this new arrangement. "Do you have to go too?" She just looks away, her little legs trembling.
"It's okay, come on." I call her over – I was already halfway to a nice, thirsty looking tree.
Unzip, grab, tug, aim... fire... Look over at Angel, yup she had to pee too, squatting over an exposed root. Still firing. Oh, watch the dismount! Don't want soggy socks or anything. Shake, shake, squeeze –it's best to be gentle, I've only got one– shake, shake. Tuck back in, pad, zip. Stretch! My arms and back. What did you think I was stretching?
"Feels better doesn't it, girl?" I ask her. She walks over to me, her two stubby arms raised as high as they would go. "Alright." I give in, picking her back up. Then a thought hit me, my other Pokémon need to stretch their legs too. Sure, the digital environment designed into the Pokéballs will make sure they don't get stressed, but it isn't right to keep them locked up longer than strictly needed.
"Come on out, guys!" I release them as best I could, without dropping Angel, or waking up the still sleeping Grey in the back seat of the station wagon. Bronze, Sapphire and Jade are out and looking around. "We're heading back out in ten minutes, but I figured you guys would want to run around a bit. Keep close by, and Jade I want you keeping an eye on Ginny. She went that way." I point in the direction I last saw Ginny heading. "Any bugs you see that is not clearly with a trainer is fair game." That's all the incentive Jade will need to pig out and keep the bugs away from Ginny – what was it with girls and bugs?
Sapphire and Bronze decide they just want to laze in the late afternoon sun. Well, how they spend their time is their business.
Anyway, Dad is leading Lucario, Mienfoo, Quagsire and Seismitoed through an elaborate kata to get them loose and work out their stiff muscles. He taught it to me years ago, but I don't have any Pokémon that would be able to learn it – all of them are either quadrupeds, have no limbs at all, or their arms and legs are just not meant for any kind of kata.
Maybe I can start working out a specialized kata for each Pokémon? Nah, pointless. Sapphire won't profit until she's a Carracosta. I'm not sure if Angel wants to be a Glalie, Froslass or just remain a Snorunt – only Froslass would profit from anything like that. Grey learns more from meditating than physical exertion. Jade... well letting her fly around is all she needs. I might be able to get her to run through an obstacle course though. And Bronze? I can't imagine a laid back Pokémon worrying about any kind of extra training regimen.
Well, I can always just join them in their work out. I put Angel down again, telling her to be good. Then I got into position and flow with the others through the movements. This particular kata isn't about building speed, or endurance or anything. It's about keeping your joints limber. So there's a lot of stretching, contorting, hand and arm motions, foot work and seemingly dancing around involved.
It's good for cardio, so I guess Ginny wouldn't mind learning it – she still thinks aerobics is Arceus's gift to women everywhere. An ideology she learned from her mother, who taught all the girls in their house that wondrous way to keep your figure well into your seventies – her words, not mine.
Just gotta make sure I never let it slip that I enjoy watching her, her sisters and her mom work out together – she may have like nine kids, but I know a MILF when I see one. What? I didn't come up with the saying that a girl gets her figure from her momma!
8-8
Alright, just another forty minutes or so and we should be in Jubilife. The sun is already kissing the horizon. There isn't a lot of chit chat going on in the car, but I'm not complaining. The radio is playing some nice music and the DJ is making some interesting talk between tracks.
Ginny is half asleep, so I put Gumball in the back with puppy duo and tell her to lay her head in my lap. She doesn't mind, saying something about that being more comfortable than sleeping sitting up.
"Nnnnn." She complains, grabbing my hand and placing it on the small of her back. Demanding much? Rubbing her back in slow, deliberate circles, I continue wondering how things will turn out back in Twinleaf.
Mom doesn't have a cent in her name, seeing that she stopped... whatever work she was doing... before I was born.
You see, Dad is a lot of things, but dumb isn't one of them. He has been supporting me my whole life, and by extension Mom as well, but he did so intelligently. He opened a bank account in his name, gave Mom the debit card and would transfer whatever I needed there. The ranch is in his name – he intends to give it to me when I turn eighteen. Even the items purchased for the house were all registered to him.
He never trusted her –and rightly so, in my opinion– but now that meant that her fate was in his hands. He could ruin her in a heartbeat.
With him showing serious interest in another woman, and me admitting that she would never win the mother of the year award... that meant Mom no longer had immunity from her own actions. That's actually the reason I never spoke a word about it... any of it.
Sure, Mom always believed that I went along with her 'I'll blame it on your father, and he'll be in jail before you can blink' excuse. But no one would buy that, least of all me.
No, I never said anything because it was my fault she was like that. I was always too needy, she'd told me. And maybe she was right. Sure, she tried to exaggerate everything, talking shit about always needing new clothes and the like –and Arceus forbid I should want to do something silly like eat every day– but that was the booze talking.
I know I'm needy, because I still need her to validate how I felt about me. Somehow, in some sick, twisted, psychotic way, I still crave for her to tell me I'm important to her. That I'm more than just her meal ticket. That I'm loved.
For as long as I can remember, the word 'love' has been reserved for either her pictures of a man I'd never meet... or the person who brought her a bottle of gin.
Funny, isn't it? At the age of six I could figure out that she was saying thank you, and I love you to the bottle being handed to her, and not the son that was handing it to her. Or that the rage when the bottle was empty was taken out on the nearest object, inanimate or not. It's hilarious.
So what changed? Why do I suddenly not care if she slips in her own puke and falls down the stairs to certain death? No one can ever care for you like your mother, she'd said. No tramp should ever get in the way. But Ginny did. When she said that I'm loved, that I'm needed, that I would be cared for...
But more importantly, Ginny had already said those three magical words that day. Jeez, it's only been three days. Can you believe that? Three days after hearing Ginny tell me unequivocally that she loves me; that she's always loved me... and here I am driving off into the sunset with her head in my lap – and her snoring.
Talk about being needy. I might well have stayed under Mom's thumb for another year, maybe longer, if Ginny hadn't said or done anything. And once it was said, it was like a switch was hit. Doors were slamming shut, and windows were flying open like there was a storm brewing. A storm that was threatening the only existence that I've ever known.
And yet, that look in her eyes... it protects me. How pathetic is that? A look. A delicate ballet of contraction or expansion of specific muscles in the face, that's all that stands between pleasure and pain, life and death... heaven and hell. "Haze..." Ginny murmurs in her sleep, her hand grabbing the fabric of my pants leg. All I can see is the right side of her face, but somehow that's enough. Not just enough of her face that I could see...
Somehow seeing even a portion of her face is enough to quell the storm, to calm the raging seas. To soothe me. Is that wrong? Is that right? What is that? How the hell can one person have the power to make me feel so strong and so weak at the same time? A person that has more issues to deal with than I do, no less. And yet, there it is.
Mom's right, I'm as needy as they come.
8-8
Jubilife City. Home to just under three million denizens. The biggest and busiest city in Sinnoh and sixth largest on the planet. Doesn't seem like much though. All I see are tall buildings and people walking around. I doubt there's a gym set up here, but I've seen at least three battle fields and each was in use. In all likelihood the surrounding crowds are more than just there to watch – they're waiting their turn.
That was one of the reasons Jubilife made our list of places to see this summer, battles are plentiful. Well, Ginny wanted to see the sights and try a few of the restaurants... but that was always more her thing. She doesn't like letting her Pokémon get hurt. I don't either, but I train them to avoid that.
Another thing I like about this place –well three things really– the Trainer school, the Library with their section on Indigenous Pokémon, their background and history... and the Pokémon Zoo. Some Pokémaniac bought a building and turned it into a high tech Pokémon haven where they can run free, but can't be caught by visitors.
Rumour has it that if you watch each Pokémon for three seconds, you'd need a month to see them all! You can't argue with that kind of attractive logic! Hell, there are Pokémon there from every continent!
We won't have time for that this time, so it'll stay on my list of things to see this summer. I honestly doubt I'll even get to spend much time schooling the local idiots. So that leaves the library and Ginny's trip to the mall. Well, maybe there'll be something interesting for me too?
"So what was the rush with getting here by dinner time?" I ask. We are, for some strange reason, still driving. Come on, we entered the city like a half hour ago!
"Well, the restaurant I want to go to is in Global Terminal." Why there? The Global terminal is something of a private airport for the elite –they're too good to simply land in the streets like the rest of us commoners– and most trainers the world over meet up there to trade. It's the largest complex in Sinnoh, perhaps even comparable to Mossdeep's own Space Centre.
Naturally all the space and the overload of Pokémon 'trainers' –I hate calling them that, but it is the official term for anyone that has Pokémon– meant a lot of specialty and novelty stores. I think I even remember Ginny talking about this one store she just had to see once in her life, Leisurely Lopunny.
Don't know anything about it, but she could probably tell you more than I would ever care to hear.
"Okay, are we expecting someone?" Fishing anyone? Gotta get me a rod! Where's my list of stupid shit that no one ever really needs, but everyone has stuffed into their travelling bag?
"Maybe, but there's also supposed to be a new store opening." He sounds exited about something.
Marion's flying in to meet us. Don't ask how I know. I just do. Well, let's start dipping into my bag of tricks to see what I can come up with this time around. Now the last one got the spoiled-brat routine, the one before got the mommy-there-you-are routine... I got it! The emo-tastic routine! I haven't used that in years.
Tests patience, character and ability to adapt... I love being me.
8-8
I used to think that I had seen it all, done it all and been everywhere that matters. "... whooooooooa." Ginny drawls. We're still several hundred meters away... but that building is HUGE!
"Architectural height, four-hundred thirty-two meters; length and breadth, one-hundred and eight meters. A total of eighty floors, three of which are reserved only for dining."
"That thing is a city by itself!" Ginny says. I don't have much to say – too much in shock. Way too much in shock. That's just one building? What did it do, eat the buildings surrounding it?
The closer we get, the bigger it gets. Logically that makes sense, because we can see more and more detail as we get closer and what we perceive as height is really the distance and angle at which we see the object in question... but the fact that it is still getting bigger...
We park in the basement of the mammoth. No, not even the first level we reach... basement level three. And I'm under the impression that it isn't the lowest level available, just the one with the first available parking space we encounter.
Piplup zone, I've got to remember that. No idea how we'll be able to find this parking zone ever again, but I know what it's called at least. Dad's station wagon looks out of place between two Bentleys and behind a Jaguar. Looking around I noticed that all the cars around us are not bargain cars. Nor were any of them anything but mint condition. This place is clearly not for the lower or middle class. That thought makes me carry myself a little straighter and walk a little more gentleman-like. I really wish I brought my suit and tie now...
Now I'm really wondering what we're doing here.
We eventually find a series of elevators, but no clue what floor held what. "We need to make our way up to the twenty-seventh floor." Dad informs us. What's there? "The observatory deck." Fucking mind readers and their bullshit. I pointedly ignore the 'spoink' that came my way.
8-8
"Twenty-seventh floor – Observatory and Landing platforms." The automated voice announces. Why are these voices always female? Do they think I would ignore it if it was a guy?
"Our reservation is in forty-five minutes, so we can take out time and enjoy the view." This is clearly a set up.
"Welcoming party for Cassidy Dupri, to Landing Platform C. Cassidy Durpi to Platform C." Another female voice. Whatever. As if females are the gentlest ones around.
"Haze, look..." Ginny points out to the horizon. Even at a third the height of the building –by my guess anyway– we were looking over the tops of all the buildings in sight. If we try, we might even be able to see Mom trampling more of my things back in Twinleaf.
There is no doubt in my mind that she was placed in a drunk tank and would be allowed to go home once she was sober. That means she is pissed off, going through withdrawal, and clearly had no qualms with making a scene anymore. If she ever sees me again, she won't be nearly as gentle as she has been thus far.
Ain't that just quaint. She gets to be all the bitch that she can be, and I get to pick up the pieces. Arceus, why do I bother making excuses for her? You'd think that the first broken bone was enough to tell me something. Or maybe even the first Pokémon that had the contents of its skull spilled on the nearest wall.
They had 'gotten in the way'. In other words, I felt loved by them, so they had to go. That had been her life's mission: ruining anything that makes me smile. I even remember the one time that I came home with a big smile on my face for no reason. I honestly just felt happy to be alive. Not sure how the argument started, but I do remember that I needed three stitches. Her excuse –you know they always have an excuse– I had smiled like my father. Sure, you gotta filter through the socially acceptable reasoning that comes out first. Just count to ten and pay close attention to the slurred mumble that comes after. That's the real reason.
Did you know that if you play your cards just right, you could get someone like that to do anything? So long as it's short term and doesn't require grace, anything your little heart desires. I used to get her to scratch my hair when I got her like that. I'd lay my head in her lap and she'd just scratch my hair for hours – only pausing for me to go get her another bottle.
Then I turned ten and everything changed. Suddenly tricking her into doing stuff moms do naturally felt wrong. It was no longer enough that she did it; she had to want to do it. The reasons behind her doing anything suddenly meant everything.
And spending time with Ginny's family didn't help – her mom actually enjoys doing all the things I wanted my mom to do.
Staring at nothing in particular, I wonder what tomorrow will bring. Not just the day that succeeds today... but the day that's always just a day away. Watching Annie rerun a few hundred times wasn't such a bright idea. Maybe 'hard knock life' will make a nice ringtone for my Dex? Or maybe Changes from Tupac? Nah, Until the End of Time fits better.
I wonder if Ginny's wonder tit can heal these broken wings.
8-8
"Welcoming party for Marion Stone to Platform R. Marion Stone to Platform R." Comes the announcement. She's a Stone? As in Steven Stone?
"Come on, Haze. We've got to go." Ginny tugs my elbow. Well, staying here and brooding won't change anything. Might as well go and meet this Marion.
The platforms are all lettered and arranged according to the spelling of 'Lucario'. So Platform R is right between Platforms A and I. How cute. As for the platform itself, it is something of an odd mix between high and low tech. It's basically a room with a window looking out at a hoverplatform. The Pokémon would land on the platform, the trainer would recall it to its ball and enter through antique double doors.
And people pay nineteen thousand dollars for it. When landing on street level is free. Gotta love the extravagance.
Then again, even in the waiting room we're in, the chandelier –lit by lavender scented candles– the rich wallpaper and the exotic marble floors are a bit over the top. This is how you welcome the queen of a small country. My curiosity is piqued. Who is this woman that she needs this kind of entrance?
A gray dot on the horizon catches my attention. Over the course of a minute that dot grows to the size of a softball. Then to the size of dinner plate. It's a Pokémon.
Gray on top, brown below the wing line. Light shade of gray in the shape of a heart to frame the face. Wingspan of just under three meters, and a small beak. Unfezant? Well, that would explain the not landing on street level – Unfezants dislike anyone but their own trainer getting close to them. Well, landing up here actually earns her points, contrary to the previous score.
The closer the proud Pokémon gets, the more details I can make out. No mask, so it's a female. Steady, graceful strokes of her wings – she's not tired and carefully planning her landing to minimize the stress on her trainer.
Another minute and the pair are landing on the hoverplatform outside. The three meter wingspan folded neatly, and a tall woman demounts and scratches her bird just under her beak – obviously something they both enjoy. Oddly, the woman is taller than the Pokémon, so the latter was well trained to support both their weights over long distances.
Alright, so she's capable of taking care of her Pokémon. That's a point for her. Now what about her personality? Let's see, three-piece black business suit. Skirt, no pants. Flats, no heels. Hair in tight bun, fashionable and practical. Clear shades to protect from the wind yet not affect field of vision, she's an experienced Poké-pilot. Offering a berry and a bowl of water, she's attentive. Short conversation and one last scratch, she's caring. Recalling the bird and rubbing the Pokéball one last time before putting it in her holder in her inner pocket, she's affectionate.
She turns and meets Dad's gaze, smiling with a blush. Her gait is effeminate, to be expected, but not overly so. As she turns slightly, I notice two feathers sticking out of her bun in an even armed 'X', Xatu feathers. She's a flying type trainer.
Paying without looking at the bill, she's used to being well off and trusts that no one will take advantage. There is an air of confidence about her, probably the first thing that drew Dad in. He's a sucker for an independent woman.
On entering the room, she zones in on Dad. I can tell she was fighting not to run into his arms – they had spent far too long apart in her opinion. She was still trying to hide it so their relationship is not fully set as yet, they've been together (seriously together) just over six months. Arms wrapping around his neck, not on his chest to keep her chest from rubbing against him – they've gone all the way. Hmm, a gentle peck on the lips, but the promise of more later in her eyes. She is clearly the passionate type, but she can't be seen in that light in public.
Still in their embrace, "It's good to see you." No pet name –or maybe just one they don't want us to hear– but her voice is sincere.
"I get that a lot." Cocky smile on his face, and a playful swat from her. "Well, intro time. This is Haze, and his better half Ginny." Dad nods toward us, and she reluctantly pulls away and gives us both a once over.
"Genevieve, it's good to finally meet you. William talks about the two of you all the time. Good and bad." She winks at Ginny, earning a shared smile. "And Haze," I half expected her to call my Hazel. Another point to her there. "I'm glad we could finally meet. I've been looking forward to this. I just wish..." She shrugs and shook her head. She knows what she wants to say, but there is just no way to say it nicely.
"I agree, different circumstances would have been nice." I say. She smiles and nods. "We've got to go, or we'll be late for dinner."
8-8
I'm actually glad that we came to this place for dinner. It isn't so fancy that Ginny feels under-dressed, or so common that Marion would stick out. It was... cosy. Well, it also means no Pokémon allowed, so everyone was back in their ball.
A nice Italian restaurant, with more than just pizza and pasta on the menu – barely so, but it shows Dad was prepared for me. The lighting was romantic-ish, not over the top, but nothing but candlelight either. Well, other than an old fashioned fireplace in the distance. Warm and cosy. Seating for about thirty, and we're lucky to sit down in the far corner. It affords some privacy and keeps the throng away from us.
"So how are you holding up?" Marion asks me once we were seated. She and Dad are in the corner, with Ginny and me showing our backs to the crowd.
"Depends on how honest you want that answer." Ginny teases, nudging me with her elbow.
"Complete honesty is always best." Sure it is, that's why wars are so rare in the world. Damn, I spend most of the afternoon not needing mental snarks. Why couldn't we just stick with that?
"I'll live." I intone, giving Ginny a glare.
Marion has this look in her eyes, like she's at war with herself. I don't know what is battling against what, or who's winning, but I see that she can't stand idly by as things currently are. "Haze, I-"
"If you are going to tell me that you know better, or that you really care about how I'm doing-" Her eyes droop. She has very expressive eyes. "..." Fuck, I don't even know this woman and hurting her feelings is grating on me. "Just... don't worry about it. I'm fine." There goes my emo-persona.
"He's not very good with expressing his emotions." Ginny gets another glare for that. "Let's just talk about it later, he never opens up in public." Another glare. "What? You don't."
"So are you going for lasagne or ravioli?" Today's special: change of subject. Try it, it's good.
"I don't know, they both sound good, but don't they both have pork?" I roll my eyes at her teasing me.
"Nope. See the green 'V', they have vegetarian variants." I tap the spot on the menu to prove my point. Marion is watching me curiously. "I have a Swinub, she has a Spoink." I shrug, offering no further explanation.
"Ah. So pork is off limits." She catches on quick. "I have the same thing with poultry." That could get complicated.
Ginny and me settle into our usual eating establishment banter. Her asking me if she'd like something, and me asking her what I'm missing on the menu. Dad had only seen this once, so he seems surprised to see that we actually do this every time. It's fun. Ginny is so indecisive that she can't ever choose something for herself, but she could spot something for me a mile away. Whereas I have no issue deciding on what I don't like, but I can tell her exactly what she's in the mood for.
It's weird, but after doing this for years... well, I guess it became normal for us. And the familiar scene is doing wonders for my mental health. Fuck you, I know I'm screwed up right now. Who wouldn't be in my shoes?
"No, Ginny. You want the tomato soup, the Fettuccine Alfredo with a side of gambas and we'll end up splitting the Dame Blanche." I correct her assumption that the pizza here might be good. Wash, rinse, repeat. She really should just give up on pizza, it never agrees with her.
"That actually sounds yummy. Hey, did you want the linguini with crab, or the veggie delight?" Working with this crowd is going to wreak havoc on my palate. No poultry, so wings are out the door. Dad's water type affinity reduced the seafood list to less than a third of the edible ones; thank the heavens that he doesn't want a Barbroach or gamabas would be off the menu for us too. My boycotting pork...
"Nah, the steak sounds better. Might as well enjoy it until I catch a Miltank, right?" We both laugh. Hearing her laughter always lightens my mood. Through the entire exchange, I notice that Marion is watching us carefully. She's intuitive enough to pick on my moods this quickly? I'm actually impressed.
"How long have you two known each other?" Well, it's better than the 'how are you feeling' questions.
"All our lives." I say. Ginny smiles at me, taking both our menus and closing them together. That of course means that she took them, turned one completely around and folded the two front flaps into each other. She has this thing about Yin and Yang and keeps telling me that her closing the menus like this is a sign to the universe that we get it. Hopefully by 'we' she means 'she', 'cause she lost me on the menu thing. "Don't ask." I tell Marion when she looks at Ginny in wonder.
"Haze, how could you insult the universe by not appreciating the fine strings that draw us together?" I just roll my eyes and ask Dad what he was in the mood to eat. "Don't change the subject on me!" But it's the special! You always have to at least consider the special.
Dad mumbled something about gambas and a mint cream soup. I didn't know that was Italian. Well, whatever. If it's on the menu it's up for grabs. "Don't back him up!" Ginny complains.
Who knows, with a little luck –and rubbing the wonder tit some more– I might be back to my usual self in no time.
End Chapter 3
8-8
A/N: I happen to know for a fact that female readers were rolling their eyes during a lot of this chapter. Guys on the other hand were nodding and laughing. It's okay, I get both sides. What did you expect from a story that crawls into the minds of two completely different teenagers?
I hope you guys are enjoying my twisted sense of humour with this perspective. Up next is of course the girls turn again. You know there's going to be some major shopping, teasing and flirting and the actual explanation as to why girls enjoy fixing the guy they're with.
And for you non believers out there, you know who you are. All things discussed in here are not merely a point of view. Most of it is actually psychologically sound. Don't take my word for it though, ask someone of the opposite sex to read it and discuss it amongst yourselves. You'll see what I mean.
Or another idea would be to start reading psychology books and/or magazines. It's something of a fetish of mine.
